Sunday, January 22, 2012

Refuse to Excuse


EXCUSE means to…..
            …..overlook some (usually) slight offense
                  …..to make allowance for a short coming
                        …..a desire to avoid punishment or rebuke
OUCH !!

Excuses, excuses…what are yours?

Sometimes it is all too easy to make excuses for our wrong-doing, times when we have failed, things we don’t want to do, or in situations we don’t want to be in. Are you one of those (like me!) who have made excuses when you wanted to avoid responsibility for your actions, or didn’t want to obey or go where God wanted to send you? What excuse do we use when God requires something of us? The Lord really doesn’t want our excuses and He most certainly doesn’t need them! He wants us to come clean, and provide us with the spiritual maturity not to excuse ourselves in uncomfortable situations or try to hide our sin. We may not be able to tackle a situation or sin on our own, but regardless of what we are facing or what God has called us to endure, He is with us. We can’t run away from God!
We can do it if we trust His strength!

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, this is the way; walk in it”. (Isaiah 30:21)


o   Why me God?
o   Why not someone else?

Even some of the great hero's of the Bible questioned God’s orders. Jonah ran from God as fast as he could when God called him to preach; Moses pleaded with God to send someone else more eloquent to free the Israelites. At times, we all make excuses to God; we just don’t see ourselves capable of handling or achieving the task or situation that God has laid before us, or we may feel that the time is just not right for us. But the best way to grow in knowledge is to step out in faith, and God is never off schedule; His timing is always right. It’s usually us that are running a little ahead of our time, or a little behind! We have to quit resisting and hiding behind the excuses we are so good at making, and quit saying, “I can’t”, but rather start saying “HE can”, and be willing to follow wherever He leads us. Who knows? If we can get past our excuses and be obedient to the Lord’s calling, we may be able to rejoice and be blessed by all the wonderful things He has planned for us before they pass before our eyes!

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and protect you. (Jeremiah 1:5, 7-8)


Linking up with Joan at “Sharing His Beauty”


Beauty in His Grip Button

12 comments:

  1. I'm good at giving excuses. I just don't want to get caught up in something that I'm not right for. This is giving me something to chew on as I decide on a teaching opportunity.

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  2. I've learned the hard way to trust and obey. God is trustworthy. And only He knows what's best for us. Although I still mess up, I'm learning that it's the best way.

    Btw, I read your comment on Heart Choices about coming to Phoenix. Please send me an email so I can respond. Maybe we could meet? debbie@heartchoices.com

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  3. WOW Denise...this is a great post! Good job! I really like what you said in all of it but especially this:
    We have to quit resisting and hiding behind the excuses we are so good at making, and quit saying, “I can’t”, but rather start saying “HE can”, and be willing to follow wherever He leads us.
    This is so true. Have a great day.
    Blessings...Chelle

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  4. Amazing just how many excuses we can give to an all-knowing God isn't it. I know I have given more that my fair share. I can think of all kinds of reason why I can't.

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  5. AMEN when it comes to excuses I think we have so many of them, God want to do something in our lives and because we feel we aren't capable we make excuses when only God need us to say send me, Lord.

    He calls them and then He equips them to do what must be done. Great post! I am surely been reading in Romans 6:1 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving us? Paul asked a question because those people was making excuses for their sins. We must come away from making excuses and just do as HE says..AMEN

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  6. Ok...here's my excuse: "She was wrong and didn't understand me." That is what has been going on through my mind for the past hour. But, God's timing is always pretty incredible! Your post came at the perfect time. After I finish typing this comment, I'm going to call back the doctor's office and apologize for getting frustrated with the appointment girl! (We were having a communication problem and I "may" have been rude???) Thanks for sharing these great insights!

    Blessings, Joan

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  7. Yes, we judge too harshly those in the Bible who had hesitations to obey the Lord, with all their excuses. Yet in all probability we may have done the same things if we were in their shoes. Oh Lord help me to obey quickly and not give any excuses. :-)

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  8. Denise,

    Oh my can I think of tons of excuses to validate my disobedience, why I can't do something. This post really slapped me in the face to stop making excuses why I can't do something and replace it with He can.

    Blessings to you Denise

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  9. I needed to hear this today. No more excuses. "I can't but HE can." Thank you for the encouraging words.

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  10. Hi Denise,
    I am guilty of making excuses way too many times. Thank you for the reminder to not make excuses.
    Blessings,
    Ken

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  11. Hi Denise! You have been given a gift girl, with the wonderful way you write and speak to us. Your words always seems to grab me and get my attention, right when God is wanting to speak to me in a certain area. Excuses!!! Oh I can be good at that one. Thank the Lord, he is in the transforming business and continues to tough love on us as he molds us to be more and more like HIM.
    One of the reasons I chose "Embrace Today" as my 2012 Word to live out is because I want to be more aware of God's guidance and ways in which he wants to transform me as I keep my eyes on HIM.

    Thanks Denise for your encouraging words and sharing your real heart.

    ♥Lee Ann

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  12. What a post to read after spending several days making excuses for what I was putting in my mouth......I haven't been depending on God to help me resist sweets or too many carbs, etc....He surely brought me over to your place so He could remind me to stop making excuses and let HIM help me with my food choices.....

    Thank you for your obedience in writing what He directed you to write....

    You know it would be so nice to just be able to sit down and chat with you....maybe one day....

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